Delegates from across Europe are meeting in Bucharest, Romania, for the 2026 General Assembly of the European Chess Union, hosted at the Romanian Olympic and Sports Committee headquarters. The setting highlights the close ties between European chess and the Olympic movement.
Key Highlights from the Assembly
The opening ceremony featured two Olympic greats, gymnast Nadia Comăneci and fencer Mihai Covaliu, signaling support from the Olympic community and reinforcing the push for chess to gain recognition as an Olympic sport. Organizers emphasized shared values such as excellence, education, fair play, and international cooperation.
A key decision on the agenda was the election of the ECU leadership for the next term. Zurab Azmaiparashvili was re-elected President, receiving 35 of the 53 votes cast. Rival candidates Łukasz Turlej and Bachar Kouatly received 11 and 7 votes, respectively.
The new ECU leadership is as follows:
- President: Zurab Azmaiparashvili
- Deputy President: Vlad Ardeleanu
- Vice President: Ingrid Lauterbach
- Vice President: Lasse Østebø Løvik
- Secretary General: Theodoros Tsorbatzoglou
- Treasurer: Prabitha Urwyler
FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich congratulated the winners, commending the competitive campaign and the conduct of the Assembly. He expressed readiness for closer cooperation between FIDE and the ECU.
Beyond the elections, delegates are reviewing reports from the ECU President, Secretary General, and Treasurer; financial statements; the 2027 budget; proposed amendments to the ECU Statutes; updates from ECU Commissions; membership issues; the calendar of upcoming European events; and plans to further develop chess across the continent. The Assembly continues with discussions and decisions on these important items.